As someone who is a part of the artist community, I see other artists share their work each day. One lady in particular posted a photo. It was a collection of rocks she painted with beach scenes. The discussion that surrounded this post was even more interesting. I had no idea there was a world of people who not only painted rocks, but hid them in random places and waited for them to be discovered. It reminded me of geocaching.

I also didn't realize there was a myriad of Facebook groups for these rock paintings. Some are grouped by geographical area. People post photos of rocks found as well as rocks they hid. They also share the creative ways they decorate the rocks.

I suppose there is a thrill in the treasure hunt, similar to finding seashells or beach glass.

I'm seeing more and more of these painted rocks which leads me to believe it's rising in popularity. It's like a different form of adult coloring where the medium is not paper but stone.

Like adult coloring books, painting rocks can provide therapeutic calming benefits. It's also something that appeals to all ages - young and old. It's something you can do alone on a rainy day. Or something to do with the kids to keep them entertained. And you don't need to be a professional artist to give it a try!

Check out this photo gallery for inspiration. If you are new to painting rocks, check out our handy tips below.

Source: Unknown

Source: AlisonsArt at Etsy.com

Source: JakesArt1.com

Source: Unknown

Source: PurpleKatJewelry at Etsy.com

Supplies you'll need to get started:

Rocks. You can buy them by the bag from your local hardware store such as Home Depot or Lowe's.